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Results 1 - 10 of 41

Honda Civic Type R LSD (2009) CAR review

Ben Barry, 30 December 2008 09:00

We like the Civic Type R here at CAR. Really like it. But there’s always been one thing that’s bothered us: the colour choices. Let me explain. The brilliant driver’s car that was the ’90s Integra Type R wore an iconic white colour scheme. When Honda farewelled the NSX with a Type R special edition? Also white. Even the last ...

Mini Cooper S long-term test goodbye

the CAR road test team, 11 December 2008 10:00

Long-term test goodbye – 11 December 2008 Our Mini Cooper S has gone back after a year’s motoring on the CAR fleet. It’ll be sorely missed and I maintain I’d rather have a Cooper S than any other hot hatch. Yes, a Renaultsport Clio might fly around corners with a smidge more attitude and a 500 Abarth might pack even more pizzazz ...

Renaultsport Megane R26R (2008) CAR review and video

Chris Chilton, 27 October 2008 11:00

Dreaming of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS but living with a hot hatch budget? Renault’s stripped-to-the-bones Megane R26R is the answer. Based on the acclaimed R26, the R version is the most extreme factory hatch since Renault’s own Clio V6. But instead of adding a big engine and more kilos, Renault has left the engine alone and cut out the ...

Honda Civic Type-R long-term test review

the CAR road test team, 25 September 2008 12:00

Long-term test goodbye, 20 October 2008. Twelve months ago RO57 JJV turned up looking like it had arrived from another planet. Three-door Civics were (and still are) a rare sight, and matched to a lustrous ‘Milano’ red paint our Type-R attracted attention like no other hot-hatch. However, judging from the comments below, not all have fallen for the Civic’s styling like us… After ...

Renault Clio Cup (2008) CAR review

Nick Trott, 24 September 2008 09:00

The Clio Renaultsport Cup is the third Clio to receive the ‘Cup’ moniker. Following in the wheel tracks and skidmarks of the deeply entertaining Clio II 172 Cup and 182 Cup, the Clio Renaultsport 197 Cup features the same suspension set-up as the limited edition Clio 197 R27, taller 5th and 6th gear ratios and optional air conditioning. So, it’s ...

Ford Focus ST Mountune (2008) CAR review

Chris Chilton, 24 September 2008 09:00

If you’re bored of your Focus ST’s performance or just can’t wait until next year to get your hands of the 296bhp RS, the new Mountune performance pack for the ST could be exactly what you need. Who are these Mountune people anyway and what are they doing with the Ford Focus ST? Mountune is a division of Roush, the ...

Ford Fiesta ST500 CAR review

Glen Waddington, 17 September 2008 09:45

Remember the old days when cars had steering feel? Well, get queuing up, because this could be your last chance to buy one. It’s the Fiesta ST500, Ford’s last hurrah with the old-gen car before new Fiestas flood the roads. The old days and a Ford Fiesta? I know where you’re coming from… Absolutely. This Fiesta is well past its sell-by date, ...

Renault Twingo Renaultsport 133 (2008) CAR review

Chris Chilton, 29 August 2008 15:18

Renault has just unleashed the Twingo Renaultsport. It's the £11,500 little brother to the Clio 197, so it's a bargain, but is it any good? A new-to-the-range 1.6-litre engine provides decent grunt, but the base car is boring to drive - let's find out if Renaultsport has worked a miracle. Forget the Mini Cooper, I want one of those Twingo ...

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Esseesse CAR review

Tim Pollard, 01 August 2008 10:29

We've just driven Fiat's new Grande Punto Abarth pocket rocket on UK soil – and back to back with the Mini Cooper S – for CAR's definitive verdict. Has Fiat given the Abarth badge enough credibilitly to woo hot-hatch buyers? Or is the new Grande Punto Abarth just a hollow marketing exercise designed to open our wallets, but not our ...

Mini John Cooper Works (2008) CAR review

Nick Trott, 14 July 2008 14:17

Mini is attempting to create a sub-brand with JCW – think of it as the company’s own M Division – which means the John Cooper Works is more than the ultimate Mini. It's the first of many high-performance, high-hoon Minis. The first JCW, just driven by CAR Online, goes to war with the Honda Civic Type-R and Ford Focus ST, and ...